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Gary McKinnon  (Source: AP)
A Scottish hacker moves one step closer to extradition to the United States, despite numerous pleas from human rights experts

Even though the British Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has not charged NASA hacker Gary McKinnon, he still faces the threat of being extradited to face charges in the United States.  Now that the CPS has formally declined to press charges, the likelihood he'll be extradited to the U.S. has greatly increased, legal experts said.

"We identified nine occasions where Mr. McKinnon has admitted to activity which would amount to an offense under Section 2 of the Computer Misuse Act (unauthorized access with intent)," CPS Organized Crime Division head Alison Saunders said in a statement.  "Although there is sufficient evidence to prosecute Mr. McKinnon for these offenses, the evidence we have does not come near to reflecting the criminality that is alleged by the American authorities."

The case has drawn a large amount of interest from both sides of the pond, with human rights campaigner Terry Waite recently calling for the U.S. to drop all charges against the Briton.

Waite reportedly called McKinnon's actions "harmless" and claimed "common sense" was needed for a fair outcome.  The hacker has Asperger's Syndrome, a specialized form of autism, which is extremely difficult to treat.  Furthermore, experts say prison life would be even more difficult for McKinnon, and his condition could worsen if he were to serve federal time.

McKinnon openly admits to hacking numerous federal governments owned by the U.S. government, including the Pentagon and NASA during a one-year span from 2001 to 2002.  He allegedly caused more than $700,000 in damages when he caused 2,000 systems to be knocked offline while he accessed computer networks used by the U.S. Air Force, Navy, and Army, the U.S. federal government said.

If extradited to the U.S. and found guilty, he faces up to 70 years in prison for his computer crimes.

The Scotsman said he was looking for evidence that the U.S. government was secretly hiding evidence of possible UFOs, and was simply looking to reveal the evidence.

McKinnon's lawyer, when the possibility of extradition was brought up, claimed human rights issues, as he was afraid his client could possibly be sent to Guantanamo Bay.  However, with a new administration in the White House, and President Barack Obama ready to close the infamous military prison camp, it's more likely McKinnon would serve time in a regular federal prison.

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prison
By ixelion on 3/17/2009 10:19:45 AM , Rating: 3
Is this guy going to have to do his time with violent offenders, burglars and drug pushers?




RE: prison
By Indianapolis on 3/17/2009 10:25:29 AM , Rating: 5
No, he's going to go to a special day camp for "good criminals". What kind of a stupid question is that?


RE: prison
By ixelion on 3/17/2009 10:33:23 AM , Rating: 4
I think it's a valid question because sending non-violent offenders to prison is a good way to turn them into drug users, murders and rapists.

Rehabilitation would be a better option since there is a good chance he can be properly re-integrated into society, the same cannot be said about hardened violent offenders.


RE: prison
By Indianapolis on 3/17/2009 10:55:13 AM , Rating: 2
Maybe a non-violent person should think really hard about committing a serious crime that could send them to prison. It's not a nice place. That's always been enough to keep me from committing serious crimes.


RE: prison
By ixelion on 3/17/2009 11:26:36 AM , Rating: 2
Hypothetically if Mckinnon suffers the pains of imprisonment; beating, constant fear, thing being done to his bum hole. I think it would be likely that he, upon release (if he ever gets out), with all of the pain he has endured will unleash some hell unto some women or children; rape, assault etc.

Yes he should get his just deserts but at what cost?

Now if Mckinnon's bum hole had remained untouched in a rehab facility or a min-security facility, I suspect this would not happen.

Maximum security prisons should be reserved for hardened criminal, guys like McKinnon should serve sentences in less harsh environments or rehab - there are many alternatives.


RE: prison
By rdeegvainl on 3/17/2009 11:39:18 AM , Rating: 3
quote:
I think it would be likely that he, upon release (if he ever gets out), with all of the pain he has endured will unleash some hell unto some women or children; rape, assault etc.


Why? Is there some sort of research behind this, or is it just a feeling? Cause I always like data.


RE: prison
By ixelion on 3/17/2009 11:45:27 AM , Rating: 2
I dunno if there is data but intuitively I think someone who endures violence is more likely to inflict it.

Although as a child I recall occasionally getting a good smack from my dad, but I am pretty sure when I have children I would never do the same to them - but I don't know if this analogy really works or if I am a typical case.


RE: prison
By ice456789 on 3/17/2009 11:49:43 AM , Rating: 2
quote:
I dunno if there is data but intuitively I think someone who endures violence is more likely to inflict it. Although as a child I recall occasionally getting a good smack from my dad, but I am pretty sure when I have children I would never do the same to them - but I don't know if this analogy really works or if I am a typical case.
By that example, being a victim of violence (or a good smack) made you LESS likely to inflict it on others.

If being raped or attacked made you more likely to rape or attack others, then all we would have to do is lock up rape and assault victims to lower the crime rate. And that is pretty absurd.


RE: prison
By iamted on 3/17/2009 12:07:49 PM , Rating: 2
rape is not a sexual act but an act of aggresion, by demeaning someones sexuality, and inflicting emotional distress. common sense makes those that lack that understanding make it an act of sexuality, but the data is there from research that it is infact not a sexual act.

usually men with high amounts of testoserone are more violent then others, when on medications that reduce testoserone, then they are less violent, this includes those who are rapist.

claiming that he has a mental disorder, while that may be true, he had to know right from wrong. knowing right from wrong, then he should be held accountable. second if he is going to federal prison, he is less likely to see violent criminals, and more likely to see tax evaders and such. think martha stewart, jim bakker, and such. plus in prisons they do have mental wards, so that he wouldnt be in general population, so there is even less likeliness that he would be in harms way.


RE: prison
By ixelion on 3/17/2009 12:30:48 PM , Rating: 2
quote:
if he is going to federal prison, he is less likely to see violent criminals, and more likely to see tax evaders and such. think martha stewart


If this is the case then I would have no objection to him being sent to prison.


RE: prison
By lemonadesoda on 3/18/2009 10:50:59 AM , Rating: 2
"knowing right from wrong".

Oh, if only the world was so simple.

If a car door is left open and somebody picked up a newspaper from the seat, and read the front page, then put the paper back in, and closed the door, is that a clear case of criminal intent?

The library closes at 5pm, and at 5.05pm you are still in the library. Is that trespass with criminal intent?

This guy got into low security computers using the public information highway, "the internet". If there is any prosecution it should be to the directors of the administration for criminal negligence leaving "top security classified" information so easily accessible.

If you find a Brink's van with the doors open parked outside your house, who should be prosecuted. You? For looking in? Or the security personnel? For leaving the doors open?

McKinnon's lawyer should countersue in the same way that a burglar's lawyer sues the homeowner if the burglar hurt himself while on the homeowners property.

What nonsense! It just goes to show that so much collective time and money is thrown in the wrong direction.


RE: prison
By derwin on 3/18/2009 7:12:27 PM , Rating: 2
So are you suggesting that he plead ignorance?

It was no mistake. He knew what he was doing.
Even if not however, he still should serve the penalties for it.

Remember, we have a system of laws, not a system of morals, and until we can find a way to make the later work, we are stuck with the former.


RE: prison
By FITCamaro on 3/17/2009 12:30:24 PM , Rating: 4
I propose you not have children.


RE: prison
By ice456789 on 3/17/2009 11:46:08 AM , Rating: 2
quote:
I think it would be likely that he, upon release (if he ever gets out), with all of the pain he has endured will unleash some hell unto some women or children; rape, assault etc.
I think it is much more likely that he does whatever he can to avoid going BACK to prison. Things like raping or assaulting women will not only put him back into prison, but also make him a universal target once he gets there.

Incarceration is a PUNISHMENT. If you put him in a cozy 'rehab facility' (how do you rehab from committing cyber crimes by the way) all you are doing is giving him a 'time out'. When you release him, he'll just try harder not to get caught. If he goes to federal pound you in the azz prison, he will be in hell on earth and once released he will not want to do again what put him there in the first place. It's the hot stove principle... touch it once and you learn not to touch it again. You would have us replace the hot stove with a hand warmer and a sign that says "Please don't touch me." Not very effective. And your assertion that he'll come out some sort of hardened criminal is fostered no doubt by movies. In real life being the victim of a rape or an assault (even in prison) does not turn you into a rapist or a violent criminal.


RE: prison
By ixelion on 3/17/2009 12:19:47 PM , Rating: 1
Part of the prison experience is being exposed to gang life and other criminal activity, they do it to survive. Upon release prisoners usually have a hard time acclimating to the outside world, loss of social networks, employment etc.

In the meantime they have all these new drug and criminal connections developed in prison which may eventually lead to more violent crimes. Combined with violence experienced in prison, I think it does more harm than good.

What do you think is the proportion of people serving long sentences in federal prisons would be able re-integrate and no longer pose a threat to society? I am guessing not many.

The point is, putting this guy in prison creates the possibility of more harm inflicted unto society.


RE: prison
By FITCamaro on 3/17/2009 1:59:21 PM , Rating: 2
Fine let's execute anyone who would otherwise be sent to prison. Problem solved.

Oh wait you won't like that either.


RE: prison
By bohhad on 3/17/2009 2:51:26 PM , Rating: 2
so by your rationale, we should release all non-violent offenders from all prisons?

prison is supposed to suck. if you can't do the time, don't do the crime. this mckinnon guy is not going to get a free pass because u.s. prisons are dark scary places


RE: prison
By wordsworm on 3/17/2009 3:04:17 PM , Rating: 1
No, it's because US prisons are inhumane. The punishment is excessive for an insignificant crime.

Hopefully he'll get protected by his government and a slap on the wrist.


RE: prison
By tmouse on 3/18/2009 8:55:50 AM , Rating: 1
It's that type of mentality that has put us into our current situation. Cybercrime should be treated NO different than any other type of crime. Every day we integrate more and more of our lives with the net; purchases, banking , bill paying, jobs and event medical care. We NEVER should have been as lenient with these "just curious" hackers. There is ABSOULTLY NO difference between breaking into some ones computer and breaking into a business. If you had a bad reaction to an all you can eat burrito lunch and left the bathroom window (out of necessity) while you went to pick up some medicine and found someone rifling through your papers back in your house when you returned would you just let them go if they told you "I was just looking around, or hey you left the window open"? Do you enter any room in a store you like just because the door is open? Would you just walk into a unknown house just because the door is open? Maybe someone 7 years old or under would but most of us know better. The other argument is "well they are connected to a public internet and they have poor security so I just wanted to look around". The VAST majority of homes are connected to public properties like roadways, you do not have the right to walk up to people's houses and "try the locks and check the windows; just to look around inside". Breaking into computer systems is breaking and entering plain and simple, and should be treated as such. Breaking and entering into governmental buildings is even more serious and should be treated so. There is NO excuse, we handled these offences far too softly in the past and created a mentality that is just not as serious and even hired these "bright" individuals for security. That, more often than not, has been a mistake since while they were bright; they also had very poor respect for authority and personal boundaries and usually quit or had to be fired for continuing their activities within the companies that hire them. We simply cannot keep this mentality and still integrate net activity with our daily lives; to do so is a continual road to disaster.


RE: prison
By wordsworm on 3/18/2009 9:48:50 AM , Rating: 3
OK, let's simplify what you just said a bit.

You come home and a mentally handicapped fellow is in your house looking for evidence of an alien invasion. Your position is to put that mentally handicapped person who meant no harm in a facility where he is subject to rape and extreme physical abuse. That is not a measured response.

The facilities that were compromised should look at this as a learning experience and figure out how to prevent such attacks from happening again. Essentially, they left the door open. They have to learn how to lock it so that unauthorized people can't get in.


RE: prison
By ice456789 on 3/18/2009 10:20:51 AM , Rating: 2
That's not simplifying what he said, that's changing what he said.

First off, Asperger's syndrome doesn't mean he's retarded or autistic like Rain Man. It means he is socially inept. He has the intellect to understand right from wrong so your analogy is way off.

He knowingly committed a crime, he goes to jail for committing that crime. His syndrome may mean jail is tougher on him. Boo Hoo. He should have thought of that before he decided to become a criminal. If he ends up in jail where he is subject to 'rape and extreme physical abuse' then that is the consequences of his own actions not someone else's.

Let's turn it around this way... let's say I have Asperger's, and I crack your wifi by parking outside your house with a laptop. I hack into your computer and steal all your information, bank accounts, pictures, etc. What should happen to me? Nothing? Go get some government funded counseling? Bring it. Then when I'm done with my counseling I'll go do it again because now I know nothing will happen as a consequence because I'm socially awkward.

By the way, most serial killers are extremely socially awkward too. I bet some shrink could label them with a syndrome. But instead of sending them to prison, maybe we could just get them some counseling courtesy of the tax payers of the US and ask them to please please don't do it again.


RE: prison
By wordsworm on 3/18/2009 11:25:22 AM , Rating: 3
I guess you don't know what Asperger is, yet you feel free to fling out false facts about it as if you do. Asperger is autism. As to the rest of your arguments, comparing a serial killer to someone who was looking for information on aliens... that is retarded.


RE: prison
By ice456789 on 3/18/2009 2:28:44 PM , Rating: 2
quote:
I guess you don't know what Asperger is, yet you feel free to fling out false facts about it as if you do. Asperger is autism. As to the rest of your arguments, comparing a serial killer to someone who was looking for information on aliens... that is retarded.
I guess you don't know how to read, because I know that Asperger's is a type of autism. It is not like "Rain Man" autism where the person cannot function in society. People with Asperger's do not have problems processing information or understanding the difference between right and wrong. They have difficulty with social interactions and clumsiness. They are often extremely socially awkward but other than that they are as intelligent as the rest of us. It's like obsessive compulsive disorder in that way.

Let's put all the comparisons aside then. He broke the law. Breaking the law has penalties. One of the penalties of the law he broke could be prison time. His AS has nothing to do with the crime or the penalty for the crime. Please give me an excuse why he should get special treatment or not go to jail.

As to you calling me retarded, you're just a big internet bully aren't you. You can call me what you want, it doesn't bother me. It only puts your lack of a cohesive argument on display for every to see. Can't debate the facts? Take a shot at the guy you're debating.

Fail


RE: prison
By wordsworm on 3/18/2009 3:27:24 PM , Rating: 2
I didn't call you retarded. What you said is retarded.

"First off, Asperger's syndrome doesn't mean he's retarded or autistic like Rain Man."

That's what you said. Maybe it's not what you meant to say. Maybe you don't know how to write what you mean, any more than you're able to reason that justice is about weighing the crime to come up with a reasonable punishment, such as 100 or so community service hours; maybe throw in 1,000 lines where he writes, "I will not hack computers" over and over to make sure he doesn't do it again. Not to be sent to an inhumane prison for what may be his entire life where he'd be subject to violent treatment, perhaps on a daily basis. That's not justice - doing that to the man would be the real crime.


RE: prison
By tmouse on 3/19/2009 9:53:48 AM , Rating: 2
Why is everyone such a drama queen? Do violent assaults happen in prison? Yes of course. Do they happen to everyone or even a majority? No they do not. I know allot of prison guards that have worked at several maximum security prisons the vast majority of the inmate populations are not being constantly sodomized, that’s just plain BS. Most do their time with no more violence done to them than they had in their previous lives on the outside. Yes there are fights, the vast majorities are no more serious than you can find happening everyday anywhere. Confinement does increase the probability but most inmates just do their time to get out on “good time” which is lost if you cause trouble. Violent offenders are not housed with the general populations; there are gang problems, not unlike the problems we see in our schools and neighborhoods. This illusion that prison is a hell hole full of people constantly getting stabbed and raped is just that an illusion. Sure it happens, and the probability is increased but nowhere near the perception people seem to have.

Oh and yes if someone breaks into my home I will do everything in my power to see them lose the ability to perform such actions. I highly doubt you would sit down and have a chat with someone you find breaking into your home to determine his motives; If you are such a person then natural selection will probably remove your genes from the population after you run into the wrong person.


RE: prison
By GodisanAtheist on 3/17/2009 3:57:13 PM , Rating: 2
Yeah, prison IS punishment (regardless of what rehabivists espouse) but it is crucial that the punishment fit the crime. Putting a hacker in a room with rapists and murderers is simply cruel and unusual.

Or you know we could just start decapitating anyone that jaywalks or Cali rolls.

Keeping him away from anything electronic for however many decades, however, would be a sort of delicious ironic punishment. Here's a book, try and hack that douche-bag.


RE: prison
By mindless1 on 3/17/2009 11:46:45 AM , Rating: 2
If you are suggesting that prisons be segregated between maximum and minimum security levels to keep the worst criminals away from the rest, we already do.

If you are suggesting a day-camp for those who do things which aren't especially harmful (except for the cost of the damage), it would need be allocated fairly, not an exception for the few since there are quite many people in prison who aren't rapists, murderers, etc.

If the fellow was clever enough to hack into these computers, wasn't he clever enough to have understood what he heard about prisons and realize his unlawful acts could land him in one?

I do agree that prison can make a person worse, but that is how our justice system is set up, ultimately if someone CHOOSES to commit crimes after released from prison it is their choice to potentially go back to prison.


RE: prison
By ixelion on 3/17/2009 12:26:18 PM , Rating: 2
quote:
ultimately if someone CHOOSES to commit crimes after released from prison it is their choice to potentially go back to prison.


This is not necessarily the case, re-integration isn't always possible because they lose social connections, the ability to function independently, employability etc. But hey retain all of their criminal connections developed in prison.


RE: prison
By bohhad on 3/17/2009 2:53:10 PM , Rating: 2
sounds like they should not have went to prison. which was their choice. what ever happened to responsibility for your actions, are we not to be held accountable anymore?


RE: prison
By wordsworm on 3/18/2009 10:12:47 AM , Rating: 2
No one chooses to go to prison. Some people do things that a given political climate deems criminal, such as girls trying to escape a burning building - but they forgot to bring their headscarves so they were forced to burn up with the building because it was illegal. Some states make it illegal to practice certain religions or having two babies (China), while other states make it illegal to take medicine that helps relieve intense pain and other serious ailments (USA). So, these people chose to go to jail? Or did they choose to exercise a freedom that the government decided should be denied to them? In this case, someone wanted information that he thought would lead to evidence of aliens. He was trying to access information - not compromise financial data or gain military secrets. The people in the US want to give him a penalty the equivalent of 3 first degree murder convictions served consecutively.


RE: prison
By mindless1 on 3/17/2009 2:59:16 PM , Rating: 2
Similarly, people who have never gone to prison may not have good social connections, true independence, employability.

If they keep their criminal connections, that's their CHOICE to do so. Just like prior to committing a crime, they have choices to make! Since they have already demonstrated that prior to going to prison they aren't making the right choices to stay out of one, it seems the just end.

PS - Not everyone goes back to prison, for some it is a reality check.


RE: prison
By theapparition on 3/17/2009 12:33:55 PM , Rating: 2
quote:
If you are suggesting that prisons be segregated between maximum and minimum security levels to keep the worst criminals away from the rest, we already do.

Absolutely correct. We already do this.

quote:
If you are suggesting a day-camp for those who do things which aren't especially harmful (except for the cost of the damage), it would need be allocated fairly, not an exception for the few since there are quite many people in prison who aren't rapists, murderers, etc.

We also do this. Federal minimum security prisons (<-if you can even call them prisons) are more like day camps. For example, remember when Martha Stewart was sentenced to "Camp Cupcake"?

However,
I feel that this kid deserves to be punished. Now only if we could extradite all the government sponsored Chinese illegally trying to bring down our government networks daily.


RE: prison
By wordsworm on 3/17/2009 2:51:36 PM , Rating: 2
quote:
Yes he should get his just deserts but at what cost?


What desert do you plan on sending him to? Maybe as punishment we could make him listen to Celine Dion for six weeks and then let him go. Kidding! That would be cruel and unusual. But seriously, just drop it already and leave the poor guy alone. His intent was not malicious. Furthermore, assburgers sounds terrible. Did he get that from McDonald's?


RE: prison
By 16nm on 3/18/2009 10:55:23 AM , Rating: 2
quote:
Yes he should get his just deserts but at what cost?


The cost of a plane ticket to the Sahara would be enough. ;)


RE: prison
By MadMan007 on 3/17/2009 10:06:29 PM , Rating: 2
There are such things as minimum security prisons for white collar crimes. So I ask, what kind of a stupid rely was yours?


RE: prison
By MadMan007 on 3/17/2009 10:08:02 PM , Rating: 2
Darnit, *reply was yours?


RE: prison
By borismkv on 3/17/2009 10:46:41 PM , Rating: 2
Maybe they'll send him to a prison full of happy-love-joy-rainbow potheads. Then he'll either be just like you or go insane from all the stupidity that surrounds him.


RE: prison
By callmeroy on 3/18/2009 10:47:42 AM , Rating: 2
Tough. You do the crime you do the time...

I will say though, I only would be outraged at someone going to prison if:

1) The accused was NOT afforded proper due process or any semblance of a fair trial (tainted jury, tainted law enforcement/judge, etc.)

2) The accused was sentenced to a term that clearly didn't meet the crime. (Ie. a recent story about corrupt judges who sent a teen to a two week boot camp for loitering)

3) You are truely innocent of the crime you were charged. (of course this kind of ties in with #1) but because of how evidence was collected you are found guilty.

If the above conditions don't apply -- I don't care about you and your sentence.


Too bad so sad
By ice456789 on 3/17/2009 8:48:18 AM , Rating: 5
quote:
The hacker has Asperger's Syndrome, a specialized form of autism, which is extremely difficult to treat. Furthermore, experts say prison life would be even more difficult for McKinnon, and his condition could worsen if he were to serve federal time.

Can't do the time, don't do the crime.




RE: Too bad so sad
By Indianapolis on 3/17/2009 9:44:29 AM , Rating: 4
Strongly agreed. Just because somebody has "Asperger's Syndrome" doesn't mean they don't know right from wrong. I would venture to say that nearly everybody in prison who committed a serious crime has some kind of mental condition or deficiency that contributed or led up to their crime, even if that condition was simply having bad parents.

Everybody has an excuse for their malbehavior...it doesn't mean we just throw a pity party for them and let them go.

On the topic of Asperger's Syndrome, I'm extremely skeptical. I have always been extremely shy and rather inept in social situations. I don't think it's because there's something wrong with my brain though. I think that's just my personality. Through a lot of perseverance, and a willingness to go outside my natural comfort zones, I've been able to overcome my natural tendencies, and am now a police officer--a job that definitely does NOT allow someone to be timid.

My police work is probably part of the reason I'm skeptical of the massive numbers of children diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome, ADHD, bi-polar, and Autism spectrum disorders. I deal with a lot of really BAD parents, and it's amazing how many of their children supposedly suffer from these disorders. Makes you think...


RE: Too bad so sad
By ThePooBurner on 3/17/2009 11:50:29 AM , Rating: 2
I agree. Correlations like the one you have presented are always fun to hear about because they do such a good job of raining on the parade of those with an agenda. According to them all kids are retarded and need to be sent to special schools or doped up in some other way. We are raising a nation of zombies, fit to do no more than their overlord's bidding. Indoctrinate the rising youth with nothing but blind obedience and force feed them obedience drugs all their life and you have a group of people you can get to believe anything you want them too. Like a "Hope for Change".


RE: Too bad so sad
By Indianapolis on 3/17/2009 1:42:14 PM , Rating: 2
LOL, I like your conspiracy theory. "Yes we CAN!" [repeat meaningless phrase 10 times, and then vote for Obama]


RE: Too bad so sad
By ThePooBurner on 3/23/2009 3:54:58 PM , Rating: 2
Theory?


RE: Too bad so sad
By sprockkets on 3/17/2009 4:44:48 PM , Rating: 2
Asperger's Syndrome has more than just the social situation problems. You have to fulfill at least 6 different requirements to be diagnosed with AS.

Here is what makes the social situation problem with AS people hard to comprehend for others: You have trouble talking in social gatherings about anything, but when your favorite topic comes up, you can talk about it for hours without being shy. And if others try to steer away from that topic, you try to turn the conversation back to it.

I'm willing to bet you simply just were shy and didn't speak at all, rather than the weird behavior that AS people do.


RE: Too bad so sad
By Indianapolis on 3/17/2009 7:30:06 PM , Rating: 2
You're right, I would have been shy regardless of the topic. So I guess that makes me more disabled, right?


RE: Too bad so sad
By MadMan007 on 3/17/2009 10:11:05 PM , Rating: 2
Yes. Now go hack some computers and prove the existence of a massive hidden alien conspiracy Moulder!


RE: Too bad so sad
By dickeywang on 3/17/2009 10:48:46 AM , Rating: 2
I totally agree with you. some of the "human rights" arguments are jokes at best.


RE: Too bad so sad
By JediJeb on 3/17/2009 11:50:25 AM , Rating: 2
I guess human rights includes the right to break the law in another country and not be responsible for your actions. Other than that I don't see how extraditing him would break any other type of human rights law.


RE: Too bad so sad
By talikarni on 3/17/2009 11:43:59 AM , Rating: 2
agreed... using a common health issue as a reason to let this person off without punishment is just plain dumb.
Granted regular prison should not be the sentence but there are plenty of monitoring programs that would keep this person under very close watch and not only help with his AS but also help prevent him from doing anything like this in the future.


RE: Too bad so sad
By lco45 on 3/17/2009 8:24:48 PM , Rating: 2
I think the time doesn't fit this particular crime.
I mean, hacking is fun, you can do it while having dinner and watching TV, it's hardly clubbing an old lady for her handbag.
If anyone should be punished it's the dopey sys admins at the pentagon for leaving the keys in the door.
Mind you, I bet they've already copped it from their bosses...

Luke


RE: Too bad so sad
By ice456789 on 3/17/2009 10:48:02 PM , Rating: 2
Madoff could have done what he did while having dinner and watching TV. He can get 150 years. White collar crime is still crime. You think hacking is fun. Some people think rape is fun. It is still a crime and there is still a victim, be it a girl whose skirt is just a little too short, or a 'dopey sys admin at the pentagon'. Neither of those victims invited the crime.


RE: Too bad so sad
By tmouse on 3/18/2009 9:06:54 AM , Rating: 2
May seen that way at first but many more people can get hurt when they get ripped off because of hackers or information gets lost or destroyed. It's all fun and games until it happens to you. Do you blame rape victims for enticing their attackers, or robbery victims for looking too prosperous, how about murder victims for being in the wrong place at the wrong time? True these are all physical assaults but people's lives are also destroyed by identity theft, companies go under after IT break-ins and all of the families get hurt. The costs of cat and mouse with hackers cost us all since these costs are passes on to the consumer.


Did I miss something?
By dxf2891 on 3/17/2009 9:57:24 AM , Rating: 1
This "bloke" broke the laws of the United States of America and we have an extradition agreement with England, correct? Where is the discussion? If his supporters want to hide behind the flimsy excuse that he has some type of mental defect, well he was bright enough to hack some of the most sophisticated computers in the world. I wonder if placed a web cam in the queens personal chambers and broadcasted her "naughty bits" around the world if I'd be able to "get off" (no pun intended) on depraved indifference? Send his @$$ to jail.




RE: Did I miss something?
By karielash on 3/17/2009 11:28:43 AM , Rating: 2

With England.... no you do not.

Extradition agreement? That would require both sides to ratify it, which the US has never done.

Most sophisticated computers in the world? PC's with default usernames and passwords that were jokes allowed him to pivot on to more sensitive systems.

Leave your keys in the ignition of your car with the engine running and the door open.... although I disagree with car theft it would be your own bloody fault someone took the car.


RE: Did I miss something?
By mindless1 on 3/17/2009 11:53:32 AM , Rating: 2
... and yet the one who took the car still committed the crime and can expect punishment if caught. Until "enticement to cause theft" is a crime, you are not guilty, nor is anyone who puts their wallet in an obvious place like their back pocket, stores which have products just lying on a shelf without armed guards, libraries that have expensive books lying around.

Don't make excuses, there is only so much it's reasonable to do for crime prevention, after which point we have to look at the intentions of the offender, not at how easy or hard it was to commit the crime.


RE: Did I miss something?
By karielash on 3/17/2009 1:46:31 PM , Rating: 1

I do not disagree with prosecuting him, the way the whole thing has been handled however is pretty disgraceful.

The entire extradition process has perverted and the US government behaved in an appalling manner. He should be prosecuted in the UK.


RE: Did I miss something?
By mindless1 on 3/17/2009 3:00:38 PM , Rating: 2
Did he or did he not break into US computers?


RE: Did I miss something?
By tmouse on 3/18/2009 9:10:09 AM , Rating: 2
I believe he was offered a sweetheart plea of a few months and he refused, how is this disgraceful?


RE: Did I miss something?
By Pythias on 3/17/2009 12:33:20 PM , Rating: 2
Right. Sounds like the old "she deserved it for dressing in a provocative manner" defense.


RE: Did I miss something?
By karielash on 3/17/09, Rating: -1
RE: Did I miss something?
By bohhad on 3/17/2009 2:58:33 PM , Rating: 2
what an immature response. he had a good point


RE: Did I miss something?
By Pythias on 3/17/2009 12:30:05 PM , Rating: 2
QEII nekkid? I'd kill you myself. Bleeeargh! ew. Icky. Nasty.


RE: Did I miss something?
By FITCamaro on 3/17/2009 2:01:48 PM , Rating: 2
His mental defect is he was stupid enough to hack into NASA while not being good enough not to get caught.


Draft him
By mattclary on 3/17/2009 9:01:23 AM , Rating: 5
Put the guy to work. 20 years, hard labor... hacking the Chinese.




RE: Draft him
By Vaz on 3/17/2009 9:20:44 AM , Rating: 3
I agree, this guy has obvious talent, jail is a dumb way to punish him, he needs something special. At least the person who broke in wasn't looking to do real damage, the military should be thankful in a way, unless they don't plan on patching whatever hole he used to get in.


RE: Draft him
By mindless1 on 3/17/2009 12:16:47 PM , Rating: 2
Make it easier on someone because their "talent" came by perpetually practicing illegal acts? I have more sympathy for someone who only did a single act like stealing a car.

What if we employ law abiding professionals to do the work instead, certainly in this economy there are some available.


RE: Draft him
By Starcub on 3/17/2009 2:22:12 PM , Rating: 2
quote:
Make it easier on someone because their "talent" came by perpetually practicing illegal acts?

The govt. has a history of using white collar criminals for military programs. In addition, there are special white collar prison camps on some military bases that house white collar political prisoners. There is a good chance he may go to just such a prison.


RE: Draft him
By FITCamaro on 3/17/2009 2:03:05 PM , Rating: 2
Works for me. They're hacking us so return the favor. He can just do it from jail.


Asperger's Syndrome
By omnicronx on 3/17/2009 10:50:10 AM , Rating: 2
I have two friends with Asperger's and although a little quirky, they are normal people. Now I am not about make judgements on the severity of his symptoms (or how broad his symptoms are as Asperger does not have a defined set of symptoms for every patient), but this seems like a big pile of FUD to me.




RE: Asperger's Syndrome
By Indianapolis on 3/17/2009 10:58:07 AM , Rating: 2
You're right...it's a crock. You could probably diagnose anybody who's naturally shy as having Asberger's syndrome. These extremely broad mental conditions have created a lot of business for drug companies, the medical community, social workers, etc. Just follow the money.


RE: Asperger's Syndrome
By clovell on 3/17/2009 11:20:03 AM , Rating: 2
It's amazing how often people follow money rather than data.


RE: Asperger's Syndrome
By mindless1 on 3/17/2009 11:48:49 AM , Rating: 2
It's amazing how often the data generated follows the money trail.


How many governments does the US government own?
By fatedtodie on 3/17/2009 9:50:58 AM , Rating: 2
"McKinnon openly admits to hacking numerous federal governments owned by the U.S. government"

I want to own a government! *pout*




By Taft12 on 3/17/2009 10:14:40 AM , Rating: 2
quote:
I want to own a government! *pout*


Talk to McKinnon, he pwnz a government


USA should deal with the REAL problem instead
By Justin Time on 3/17/2009 5:55:54 PM , Rating: 2
Jail sentence, yeah... like that is going to deter a REAL terrorist or hostile nation.

USA should be PAYING this guy for so clearly demonstrating how crap their security is.

They should be getting him to show them exactly how he did it, thanking him, and letting him off with a suspended sentence... i.e. do it again and you serve time for BOTH.

They should also be holding annual competitions where they provide amnesty and offer rewards to hackers, to try and do the same. You win a cash prize, but you have to show what, how & when you hacked.




By tmouse on 3/18/2009 9:14:09 AM , Rating: 2
They already know how he did it, They were sloppy, its still not an excuse, plain and simple.


The real crime...
By NullSubroutine on 3/17/2009 9:14:54 AM , Rating: 1
Horribly unsecured networks being placed accessible on the internet where sensitive information can be accessed. Then, filing charges on some bloke who just wanted to find out if UFOs are real (this was that guy right?); but allow thousands of Chinese hackers to poke, prod, and breach security just like him yet don't do anything because we want the Chinese to keep buying US bonds.




RE: The real crime...
By tmouse on 3/18/2009 9:18:50 AM , Rating: 2
Well in that case it's because the Chinese government is the ones doing it, I do not believe the British government was behind this guy. When we can identify that Long Duck Dong or someone else is the one hacking we should do what we can to get them, but that will be little to nothing since their government is supporting them, not the case here.


Time to face the music
By Beenthere on 3/17/2009 9:00:27 AM , Rating: 2
McKinnon has admitted hacking U.S. military PCs so now it's time to face the music. The circus act surrounding McKinnon used to delay justice is a disgrace. Prosecute the bum and throw his worthless arse in prison where he belongs.




Are we sure?
By Indianapolis on 3/17/2009 10:26:49 AM , Rating: 2
Look at the guy's picture...are we sure he's not an alien?




This is sarcasm...
By Smokey48 on 3/18/2009 7:49:08 PM , Rating: 2
While we're freeing this innocent babe, don't forget to Free Mumia!!

Everyone has an opinion. Let's let the ones who were victimized by this guy have some say in what happens to him. Fair is fair, right?

And re: autism. There are millions of people diagnosed with autism. I don't recall a sharp rise in criminal autistics. Most autistics are law abiding. So:

1. He knew right from wrong

2. He did it anyway...

3. Book 'im, Danno.




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